Pushing a few buttons, a module pops out of the wall in the metal hallway, the cool air drifting through. Looking at the module, it is broken. A black goo has destroyed the module, leaving it irreparable.

Evander lets out a sigh and takes out the module, putting it on the floor. Looking inside the module’s hole, he takes note of a few singed wires. The black goo is a tar-like substance. It is created from the use of life support systems over time.

‘Back when I was an engineering operations officer, I just had the engineers deal with this.’

Taking the destroyed module, Evander walks through the hallways, taking a turn here and there, before reaching a large door to a circular room. Walking inside, a mess of parts and tools could be seen.

There were many stains of different colours, and half taken apart modules and robots were scattered all over the tables and floor.

Walking to a table that is somewhat cleared of parts and goo, Evander puts down the module before walking around, taking some parts here and there.

“So I need a motor, some gel, and uhh... What more?”

Evander lets out a sigh and eventually brings all of the parts back to the table. Cleaning the tar-like substance off the broken life support module, he begins taking it apart.

His hands were methodical, fast, as if they had done this a thousand times and more. The room was filled with an orange light that seemed to constantly glow, as sweat poured down Evander’s forehead.

It was moments like these when his head was finally clear. No thoughts. No worries. Just a machine in front of him that he can fix. Something he can fix.

‘Everything is broken. But, I can always fix it. I can fix everything.’

His thoughts, unlike those in the past, were no longer chaotic or hopeful. Rather, disappointment was something he no longer felt. After all, how can you be disappointed if you have nothing?

Now, he was only confident in his own hands and mind.

Time and Evander’s hands moved. Eventually, the life support module had been taken apart. He now understood how the thing was put together. And so, he pushed all of the parts to the side, falling onto the floor with another bits and pieces of different projects. Evander begins using the parts he grabbed from different places in the workshop, and then puts them together into something new.

Now and then, Evander would stand up to get something before taking it and sitting back down in front of the module he is constructing.

Eventually, a not so good looking, rough made module made of parts and wires was created. And though it was not as beautiful as the normal life support modules, made of white hull and black lines, this one worked just as good. Maybe even better.

‘Right. This should hold for a while.’

Taking the module with him, he breathed heavily as he exited the workshop. Sweat was pouring down his forehead, his shirt already being completely soaked again.

If you look at his arms, you would also see how lacking in muscle and fat they are. Just skin and bones, he moves through the hallways, the strain of his movement keeping him warm.

Eventually, he reached the hole for the module. Looking at the singed wires, he put the module down and began cutting off the ends of the wires inside. Then, he took the module and began putting the wires of it together with the wires inside the hole.

Evander, finished with putting together the new module and installing it, he pushed the button at the front of the module, as a whirring humming sound came to be throughout the hallway.

Nodding to himself, he pushed the module back in and walked away. As he walked he felt himself become tired.

His eyes having trouble keeping themselves open, he groaned and rubbed them, before taking a step forward. But stumbling, his body began falling forward.

Not even having the energy to brace himself, he closed his eyes, waiting for this horrible dream to end.

The darkness filled his mind and body, sleep taking over, as he is transported to a different world.

And opening his eyes, he found himself working on a transmission module, still barely able to keep his eyes open. Around him, the sounds whirring and clanging could be heard.

The messy workshop was clean, as tools were properly stored, and new and polished parts were transported by robots coming in and out of the small transport tunnels.

“Yo, were you just about to fall asleep fixing that module, Evan~?”

“Ugh. Stop calling me that. You know I hate it.”

Evander hearing and seeing his friend, Maverick, saw him laugh even harder with that handsome face of his, his green eyes staring at him mockingly, Evander got angry. So, taking his fist, he punched Maverick right in his stomach.

Taking a step backward and holding his stomach, his face in pain, Maverick held up his hand as a sign of surrender to Evander.

“I give, I give. Sorry. But, so? How did it go?”

Letting out a sigh, Evander continued moving his hands around the module, scanning for faults and discrepancies in his work. Now and then, he rubbed his eyes, tired. Black bags could also be seen under them, yet Evander just continued moving his hands, fixing the module.

And after what must have been minutes of silence, Evander having scrutinized the entire module with his tired brain, he turned to look at Maverick.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“What do you mean? How did what go?”

Hearing his loud laugh again, Evander held his face as Maverick patted his back. Obviously, Maverick didn’t believe Evander’s game of playing stupid.

“Jeez. You know what I mean. You and Freya. Are you two finally going out?”

Evander’s body coming to a complete stop, his mind began whirring as the hard table of the workshop supported his arms, his hands on his face, so he could luckily keep his expression from being seen.

Silence between the two, Maverick waited for Evander to answer, as his two green eyes were completely focused on his friend.

And finally, a large sigh came out of Evander’s mouth.

“No...”

“WHAT!? HUH!? DIDN’T SHE CONFESS!?”

The whirring and working of the workshop not stopping, Evander let out a groan as he put his face down onto the table.

“Yes...”

“THEN WHY THE HECK ARE YOU TWO NOT A COUPLE, HUH!? DON’T YOU LIKE HER!?”

“I do...”

“THEN WHY!?”

Again, silence began amongst the two, as Maverick’s handsome face had an showed tiredness and annoyance at Evander’s seemingly stupendous indecision. Combing back his black hair, he sucked in a breath of air.

Then, he looked out at the workshop, observing the other engineers who are there. Maverick, after that small moment, turned his gaze back to Evander, who continued to burry his face into the table.

“Evander, like, is it because of your family?”

Silence remained on Evander’s part, as he kept his face down on the table. Yet, Evander knew that Maverick wouldn’t let this go.

“How long have you two been flirting at this point? You two love each other. You should just get married and get one of those fancy pansy cabins already.”

“It is not that simple, Maverick... My family is just, they will...”

Not finishing his sentence, a groan of frustration escapes Evander’s mouth, still continuing to not show his face. Putting his hand on Evander’s back, Maverick speaks to him again.

“Alright. How about we get something to eat, huh, moodypants?”

Laughing a little, Maverick began walking towards the exit of the workshop, as Evander got up to follow behind him.

The sound of the machines whirring and clanging, and the engineers’ cursing became more and more quiet, the two of them walked through the busy hallways of Andromeda.

Observing the ship, the void and stars, Evander can’t help but touch the metal walls of the ship. And feeling the cool touch of the metal, a smile unknowingly appears on his face.

‘I love working here so much.’

Not even knowing Maverick was looking at him, Evander continued observing the different things on the walls, the paint, everything. And Maverick continued just smiling at him.

They eventually reach the cafeteria after a little while of walking, as Maverick finds a seat for the two.

“I’ll bring you something, Maverick.”

“Sure. Just don’t get me any beans, alright? I don’t like those disgusting things...”

Laughing, Evander walks towards the trays and takes two. Then, he walks towards the compartment in the wall and puts one tray in, clicking on a few of the menu items besides beans, before taking it out and placing it on the table next to the compartment.

Then, Evander puts the second one in, and presses on the brown beans.

‘What was it they used to say back on Mars? One bean a day keeps the aliens away?’

Laughing a little to himself, Evander takes his and Maverick’s tray back to the table, as the two of them start eating.

“So, we were talking about you and Freya, right? What is up with that?”

Letting out a sigh, Evander pushed a fork full of beans into his mouth, glaring at Maverick.

‘Honestly, what is up with Maverick? Why is he obsessed with this?’

But not knowing if he should say something, he suddenly hears Maverick speak to him.

“Evander, you need to stop limiting yourself. You love Freya. You should be with her. Besides, it is not like you can get with any girl you want like me.”

Evander let out a frustrated sigh as Maverick began laughing loudly. Even though he bragged though, the girls in the cafeteria were still glancing at him while blushing.

But he couldn’t care less about that. Maverick was his best friend here. And if anyone could help, it would be him.

“The reason why is just... I don’t feel ready. I am afraid I will be a burden to her.”

Maverick’s laughing had stopped as as Evander started speaking. And looking at him seriously, he turned his gaze out towards the rest of the cafeteria before speaking.

“You know, there are a lot of people here. Over ten thousand, in fact. I should know. After all, I am a logistics officer.”

Silent for a moment, he closes his eyes as he rubs his chin, a small smile appearing on his face.

“I see cargo, people, and much more come and go. And it is my job to make sure it all flows well. That we get what we need, and sell what we don’t.

Things are always going to be weird, or dumb, or maybe even crazy. But everyone and everything has a use. And sometimes, the usage of things or people has consequences.”

Finally, Maverick turned his gaze back to Evander, as the two of them locked eyes.

“Freya knows that you come with baggage, Evan. But she still loves you. Because, she knows, that love does not come without work.”

“Right. Thanks, Maverick... I think I know what to do now.”

Smiling, Evander got up and walked out of the cafeteria, ready to see Freya. Ready to make things right. Though, he stopped when he saw something strange on the side of the wall. A module was... smoking?

The smoke poured outward, surrounding and choking Evander. He tried to scream for help, for someone to come. He closed his eyes and reached out. And at the last moment, he opened them again. And now, everything was gone.

Evander was back in the cold, metal hallway. Trying to get up, Evander felt the weakness in his body. When was the last time he ate? A few days ago?

‘Maverick would always help me do things when I forgot to...’

After a minute or two of trying, Evander finally managed to get up, as he used the wall as support. Walking towards the cafeteria, even though he used the wall, he was still stumbling, trying to move forward with slow progress.

The light on his right continued to shine. The stars and void were silent. Just like this place. Evander found that the only thing left that could be heard was his breathing and footsteps.

He didn’t hear Maverick’s laugh, or Freya’s giggle. He no longer heard the cursing of his co-workers, or the orders of his superiors. There was just... silence. And it was so cold.

But, the worst thing was...

‘They can’t hear my words now either.’